My partner and I recently returned from our stay at Tiamo. Unfortunately the experience left us frustrated and disappointed. As a fishing lodge it's fine but to be considered anything else is misrepresented. The website is decieving and does not give an accurate depiction of what you get at the resort. The sandflies are horrible leaving all the guests covered in welts after a few days. The beach is small and swimming and sunbathing are very difficult. The food is average and the dining is communal whether you want it that way or not. The bungalows are basic and so close together that you hear everything your neighbors are saying or doing, from late night love making to early morning ablutions. However, the guides and staff are friendly, and the bonefishing expeditions were excellent. But perhaps the greatest frustration is the lack of service or help from the owner or management when we wanted to leave early due to our disatisfaction. We have yet to hear anything from them and were offered very little in way of restitution.

We were lucky enough to get a last-minute room here, on a recommendation from a travel agent who specializes in the world's top fishing outfitters. Had an amazing week of fishing and chillaxing. We spent the few days prior at the Four Seasons on Exuma.

THE RESORT:
The resort is a slow-paced couples destination looking for a QUIET GETAWAY - very romantic, very remote, very "off the grid." This is not the place for kids. No phones in the rooms, no TV (good for us). It's a earth-friendly eco-resort too, but the screened-in cabin was quite luxurious and electricity and hot water were plentiful. The feast on New Year's Eve rivaled any five-star Los Angeles or New York restaurant we'd been to (truly).

THE FISHING:
We had amazing bonefishing with a really great guide (Shine) and exciting deep-sea fishing with Captain Roosevelt (got a Spanish mackrel - YUM!!!). The aquatic life there on the flats is unbelievable - the first day we were out fishing we saw - and videotaped! - a hammerhead shark eating a stingray, and later saw a sea turtle swimming by. There are starfish and conch everywhere.

TRAVEL TIP:
Bring DEET and hydrocortisone cream. The resort provides Off and Skin-So-Soft, but the sand flies are vicious around dusk and you really need the big guns to combat them.

My husband and I just got back from a 5 day trip to Tiamo to celebrate our 2nd anniversary and to take a little break before the craziness of the holidays. After a couple of planes and a short boat trip across some of the clearest, bluest water I have ever seen, we pulled up to the quiet, unassuming dock at Tiamo and were greeted by Malika, who showed us to the lodge and briefly went over some paperwork (likes and dislikes for the chef, a little overview about the ecological principals behind resort, etc.) before we were shown to our bungalow (#5). Tucked away in a stand of trees a mere 15 steps to the bight, our inviting bungalow stayed cool both at night and during the day, and let in alot of natural light so that it wasn't necessary to turn the solar powered lights on at all until after sunset.
Dinner was in the main lodge, with the other guests who numbered between 8 and 24 on any given night, and began at 6 with cocktail hour at the bar. Ulika, Sandy, Donovan, and Melissa served up potent drinks - beware on Shot Night, and a great martini (or so says my husband). Wine is by the bottle and there is a nice selection to fit any price range. Dinner was wonderful, and my husband and I really enjoyed spending time getting to know the other guests, many of whom were at the resort to go out bonefishing (though we weren't and never felt out of place). The food was delicious and we never went to bed hungry.
Our days consisted of rolling out of bed whenever we could muster up the energy to untangle ourselves from the yummy down comforters, strolling barefoot to breakfast, and sitting on the beach with a big mug of coffee reading until Steve or Sammy (the nature concierge's) stopped by to tell us what the afternoon snorkel trip would be. We conquered blue holes (and nurse sharks!!!), Sirius Caye, The Crack, and other sights closeby which offered us the opportunity to see a HUGE variety of fish, corals and natural underwater phenomenon. Returning to the beach for a few hours before sunset, exploring the warm, clear, shallow water counting conch or visiting the little barracuda under the dock rounded out our day before showering and heading to Happy Hour.

The staff at Tiamo (in addition to the incredibly beautiful location) absolutely make the place. They are warm, helpful and engaging, and my husband and I thoroughly enjoyed spending time sharing stories at the bar with them at the end of each day before heading back to our beach chairs and counting shooting stars (8 at last count). Mike and Petegay with the help of all involved have a special place in Tiamo, and we can't wait to get back some day!

We found Tiamo while looking for places to honeymoon and were intrigued by its off-the-beaten path personality. If you are looking for a unique experience or love the outdoors, then I highly recommend it!

You are delivered to the resort by boat, a dramatic way to be introduced to its idyllic charm. And the only way--there is no road to Tiamo. There are also no phones, no televisions, and no internet access in the bungalows. Yet Tiamo manages to achieve that "barefoot sophistication" they strive for, and you manage to find out that there is much you don't need in order to be happy.

Tiamo took good care of us. Before we ever even arrived, the owners personally helped us figure out the riddle of Bahamian airline schedules and recommended a great place to stay in Eleuthera. Upon learning that we were on our honeymoon, the staff placed a bottle of champagne in our bungalow. They toasted our wedding and another couple's anniversary during happy hour and welcome new guests each night. They learned all of our names and were there whenever we had questions or even just to chat. We really enjoyed interacting with them, the majority of whom are locals from nearby Mangrove Cay. The day we left, one of the bartenders gave me a big hug--quite a different experience from the best of chain hotels!

We stayed pretty busy while there. We tried our hand at bonefishing with a friendly (and patient) Orvis-certified guide (we’ll be back, Marvin!). Snorkeling the blue holes was a highlight. The resort also provides sailboats and kayaks, and offers guided walks where you can learn more about the island or how Tiamo operates. Lounging around the gorgeous beach at sunset was a good way to end the day.

I was surprised to find that guests dine together for supper. This may not suit everyone's taste, but I am glad we got the chance to swap stories and share laughs with other guests. Everything we ate was wonderful and certainly did not lack freshness! Noteworthy were the jerked lamb chops and the seared duck served with a sauce made from the resort's own sourwood tree.

The resort owners are maintaining a fine balance between their sustainable tourism efforts--of which their guests become a party to--and making sure guests are still satisfied. Taking the time to view the Tiamo website went a long way in setting our expectations. But once there, it was helpful to read the information they make available in order to understand some of their decisions, which must weigh ecological principles, personal comfort, and their place in the local community. For instance, we were initially disappointed that we would not enjoy certain Bahamian seafood fare while there. Then we learned about the tremendous stress some of the fisheries are under and that Tiamo has taken active role in an effort to help these fisheries survive for the long haul.

Tiamo may have a considerable price tag, but I feel like we paid more for the opportunity to have an unforgettable travel experience and less for a lengthy list of now-standard services and amenities that can be found at any other resort. It catered to our sense of adventure, our curiosity about eco-tourism, and our need for a break from the din of daily life. One of my most prized moments is when we were out fishing on the undeveloped West Side. An approaching storm quieted the limited wildlife and the wind had grown still. We sat there on the glass-like water surrounded by an utterly remarkable silence. You cannot put a price on that kind of peace.